7 MARCH, 2018 – 2017 Ginetta Junior Rookie champion Kiern Jewiss has been confirmed as Double R Racing’s third signing for the 2018 F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford Ecoboost, which gets underway in just one month’s time.

15-year-old Jewiss impressed during his first season in cars last year on his way to the Rookie crown and a top four overall finish in the Ginetta Junior Championship. The talented teenager from Maidstone, Kent followed up by finishing runner-up in the Ginetta Junior Winter Series.

With an enviable record in karting, which features no fewer than 11 titles and includes success in the high profile Kartmasters British Grand Prix, the Super 1 National Rotax Mini Max Championship and the WSK Champions Cup, he is undoubtedly one of the UK’s top young talents.

Winning his first championship in 2010 in Honda Cadet, Jewiss won titles in every subsequent year of his karting career and maintained the trend in his debut season in cars by winning the Ginetta Junior Rookie crown with an unprecedented 17 class victories.

Managed by former Formula 1 driver and Formula Ford alumni Mark Blundell’s sports agency MB Partners, Jewiss has already laid down a marker in British F4 with a headline-grabbing performance in the first official pre-season test at Brands Hatch Indy circuit last month.

On a day plagued by inclement weather which meant the entire field conducted all its running on Hankook wet tyres, Jewiss produced a time of 52.976 seconds to put him almost two seconds clear of his nearest rival.

Looking ahead to his maiden season in single-seaters, Jewiss said: “I’m very excited. It’s a big step, but it’s a step in the right direction for my development.

“The F4 British Championship is a fantastic series and I can’t wait to be part of it. It’s hugely competitive and some great drivers have made their name here. I hope to do the same in my debut season.

“Double R have proved themselves as a top team, not just in F4 but across several championships. They were a front running team last year and the way testing has started this year it seems we’ll still be performing at the highest level. Anthony [Hieatt] and the team have made me feel really welcome so we’re all looking forward to the year ahead.”

He added: “Obviously I’m here to win so that’s the main goal, but to do that I need to develop and learn every time I get into the car. I don’t expect to walk into the championship and instantly be at my best, but I’m a quick learner and therefore aiming to perform at my optimum as quickly as I can.”

Jewiss joins Finland’s Paavo Tonteri and Mexico’s Sebastian Alvarez at Double R for the 2018 British F4 season. It is a line-up which team principal Anthony ‘Boyo’ Hieatt is confident will deliver strong performances throughout the season.

“Kiern got his F4 career off to an incredible start during the official test at Brands Hatch last month,” explained Hieatt. “He was very impressive in difficult conditions and showed the speed we all know is there from his time in Ginetta Junior and karting.”

“I’ve no doubt he’ll be battling at the sharp end all season. He’s a fast and committed driver. We’re certain he’s going to be one to watch throughout the year and delighted to have signed Kiern to join Paavo and Sebastian. All three drivers are new to F4 and single-seaters, but it’s a line-up we believe has massive potential.”

Brands Hatch, the ‘home’ track for Double R Racing and Jewiss, will be the venue for the season opening British F4 race meeting on 7/8 April. The Ford EcoBoost-powered series will tour the UK, visiting its premier race circuits such as Donington Park and Silverstone, before returning to Brands Hatch for the season finale on 29/30 September.